TheRoadScholar » Photos

Spring Forward!

TheRoadScholar — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:15:19 +0000

Highwood, IL–Crocuses bloom, robins peck for worms, bright red cardinals sing from the trees. With temperatures in the high 60s and blue skies overhead, spring has sprung. In addition to being a great time to get out and walk, now is the time to check out the birds. They’re easier to see in the [...]

Painted Pumpkins in Highland Park

TheRoadScholar — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:50:45 +0000

Openlands Lakeshore Preserve Worth The Trip

TheRoadScholar — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 22:03:15 +0000

Highwood, IL– Even the view from a North Shore mansion isn’t this spectacular. Trails of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve bridge over and through ravines and along undeveloped bluffs of Ft. Sheridan, often opening to expansive vistas overlooking Lake Michigan. Preserving and renewing this habitat for birds and native plants is the mission for the new preserve, which opened September 10.

Guides were on hand to lead [...]

Buckingham Fountain Open!

TheRoadScholar — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 01:45:12 +0000

Chicago, IL–Buckingham Fountain in Chicago’s Grant Park makes its spring splash! One more reason to love this city. Did you know it’s one of the largest fountains in the world and runs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.? Light and music shows lasting 20 minutes begin at dusk, with the last show at 10 p.m.. Buckingham Fountain [...]

Illinois Glacier

TheRoadScholar — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 20:14:07 +0000

Highwood, IL–Where is Illinois like Switzerland or Alaska? Along the icy shore of Ft. Sheridan Forest Preserve, and Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, where a shelf of icy looks like the edge of Alaska’s Glacier Bay, and deep fissures in the ice-covered sand appear to be crevasses. If you’ve ever hiked a glacier, you will recognize its [...]

Ah, Asado Coffee

TheRoadScholar — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:50:15 +0000

Stirring a fresh cup

Chicago, IL–It may be the best cup of coffee in Chicago. At Asado Coffee Company at 1432 Irving Park Road, the menu is pretty simple: cup of coffee regular or iced for $3, a few espresso drinks from $2 to $4. That’s it. Watch as the barista slowly stirs the fresh-roasted and ground beans in a drip filter, rendering that [...]

Dam Good Kayaking on Skokie Lagoons

TheRoadScholar — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:56:14 +0000

Glencoe, IL–What a treat! Record rainfall covered the Skokie Lagoons dams, making it easy to access all ponds without portaging. I paddled from the Tower Road boat launch down to the Willow Road dam first. Cormorants fished in their usual spot at the far south pond. A great blue heron eyed me from his perch [...]

Beautiful Day at Lake Michigan Beach

TheRoadScholar — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:04:23 +0000

Highwood/Highland Park, IL–Beautiful days bring out families, dogs, and outdoors lovers to Lake Michigan beaches. Poke in the sand, check out the crawfish that have been washed up, let your dog get a sip of the cold water. Find your own stretch of beach, your own way to relax.

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More Maple Sugar Hikes at Ryerson Woods

TheRoadScholar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:01:26 +0000

Exhibit inside Welcome Center. Photo by Laurie Borman

Deerfield, IL–Just had to slip in a few more photos of yesterday’s maple sugar hike at Ryerson Woods. Tap 35 trees for 5 gallons of syrup. That’s the pioneer spirit.

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Indianapolis vs. New Orleans: It’s Not As Big Easy As You Think

TheRoadScholar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:29:22 +0000

It’s Super Bowl weekend when the Indianapolis Colts face the New Orleans Saints in Miami. I don’t know much about football, so I was wondering, “What if the game were decided on which city was a better destination to visit?” Now that’s a topic I’m well versed in! And it’s not as Big Easy as you [...]